Question Number: 31069

Law 11 - Offside 11/29/2016

RE: Adult

DEMETRIS of LIMASSOL, LIMASSOL CYPRUS asks...

hello everybody,i have some questions concerning referie decisions during the match APOEL VS APOLLON 1-1 on nov28,2016 in the CYPRUS league.Was it offside or not at 4:00 link1.(what does the offside rule says when a player, being in an offside position, tries to play the ball but fails and then onother player coming from an onside position plays the ball and scores).Second question: was it a yellow card(the second for this player)at 2:29 link2. (Link1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc8z0fSqCRI ) (Link2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hae2AHb1TJk )

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Demetris:

1) The yellow player kicked the ball and somebody headed it. Who headed it? If it was the yellow player, then it's difficult to say if the goalscorer was in an offside position or not. And bear in mind that if there's inches in it, the AR will see that more than we can on the screen.

When a Player in an offside position attempts to play the ball he should only be penalised if by doing so he's prevented an opponent from playing the ball. I don't believe his actions affected the keeper, so no issue. Having said that, I'm not even certain it was the yellow player who headed it

2)Looks like it was a stomp - these tend to be quite cynical, malicious challenges - performed without due regard for the opponent, thus a card is justified.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Demetris,
In my opinion?
Given the AR looking in at right angles and the CR looking straight in at the top of the PA I have to assume they saw the attacker flick head the ball and the offside attacker who lunged in but never made any contact & in the opinion of the officials, in no way distracted the keeper, but who was unable to stop the lunging header from what looked like an even attacker at the time of the flick.
I saw blue 5 go up to the referee after the goal and point to the head, indicating I think it was offside based on the 2nd touch. I think the AR communicated it was a good goal and the CR made a brief looking safe motion with the hands indicating it was a good goal. Thumbs up for what looks like a tough but fair decision.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Demitris
Not an easy one and there are a number of factors in here. The first header if we assume it was Yellow was not offside. From that header there are a number of Yellow players in an offside position and there is a doubt about the scorer position at the moment of the header? Was he in an onside position at that moment of the touch by Yellow?
Now the next consideration is whether the lunge by the Yellow attacker in a clear offside position towards the ball was sufficient to be considered interfering with an opponent in this case the goalkeeper. That is a matter of debate and some may see it as that while others would not. It is a matter for the AR and CR to decide on the day. Previously FIFA told us that if a player in an offside position makes a clear action within playing distance of the ball which impacts the ability of the opponent to play the ball it can be called offside and if a player in an offside position is considered to be "challenging an opponent for the ball" if he is impedes the movements /actions of the opponent. It does not look to me like either of those happened.
On the second question I believe that it could easily be a caution. The player is late to the ball and seems to make contact on the opponents foot. It could also be for persistent fouling perhaps having been warned previously? Now in the game players have to be careful about their actions when already on a caution. Dissent, delaying the restart, failing to respect distance, persistent infringement, late challenge etc are all easily picked up cautions. Jumping into a challenge and failing to win the ball with perhaps the opponents rolling around in pain always has the potential of a card. Indeed the player may have got the benefit previously of no caution in the game on another incident which is not shown.
As I have said previously on many occasions is that if the question is not asked by the player the referee has no need to answer. No foul, no possible card.